It’s got to be ingrained in New Zealand’s cricket DNA. To keep things simple when it comes to a global tournament. Don’t worry about form, pedigree or talent pool just go out there and do the simple things right. Start with a clean slate and avoid complicated ideas.
The White Ferns came into the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup on the back of just one win in the format in 2024 out of 13 matches. They had lost T20Is 10 on the trot. But Sophie Devine hit the right notes throughout the pre-tournament build-up and then hit some more with the bat on Friday night against India in a scintillating display of leadership.
In sharp contrast, India looked rusty and off-the-boil, despite asserting that their preparations for the tournament were perfectly fine. The confidence didn’t reflect in the result as they were blown away by 58 runs in Dubai and suffered a serious early blow to their semifinal hopes.
Devine’s sensational 57 off 36 balls on a night when most batters struggled for timing was the difference in the end as New Zealand posted 160/4 which instantly seemed well above par. India’s run-chase had only one thing in common to NZ’s batting effort – the top-scorer was the captain, with Harmanpreet making 15.
That summed up the sorry state of affairs for them as they were bowled out for 102 in 19 overs. In an already tough group, any defeat would have been damaging for India’s chances but to lose by 58 runs makes their task of finishing in the top two a mammoth one.
Busy at the crease
New Zealand sprang a surprise at the toss, opting to bat first but their intentions were clear from the first delivery they faced. There was some talk about dew being a decisive factor in Dubai in the night games, making chasing the better option, but Devine was clear. She backed her batting unit to put India under pressure early.
Indian team members celebrate the wicket of New Zealand’s Georgia Plimmer during the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 match between India and New Zealand at Dubai International Stadium, United Arab Emirates. (AP | PTI)
In her pre-tournament column for ICC, Devine had written: “There’s been a real focus on spin bowling, which I’m sure everyone is going to focus on, but for us it’s about strike rate and scoring shot percentages. With the bat, we want to be really busy at the crease, we know that the conditions might be tough, so every run is going to be valuable.”
And Suzie Bates did just that, using her feet to move around the crease from ball one. Georgia Plimmer – who has been identified as the future opener for the White Ferns and hence Devine has demoted herself down the order – also stayed busy in the middle as NZ didn’t let India ease into the match. So much so that Harmanpreet was forced into taking a team huddle in the fourth over during a review break. India’s ground-fielding and catching were ordinary once more – apart from the electric Jemimah Rodrigues – but they did apply the brakes on NZ’s batting post the powerplay.
Devine however had other ideas as she smashed 7 fours during her blistering knock, and powered New Zealand to 160. She too used the crease superbly, advancing when she saw fuller lengths and then rocking back to use her brute force when Indian bowlers overcompensated. It didn’t help India that the usually-reliable Deepti Sharma had an off-day, conceding 0/45 in her four overs.
The pitch had already shown signs of aiding change-of-pace bowling, and it was imperative for India to match New Zealand’s start with the bat to stand a chance. But with Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana and new No 3 Harmanpreet all falling within the powerplay, the run-chase never got going.
“They just played better cricket than us without a doubt,” was Harmanpreet’s summation of the night and it is hard to argue with that. India next face a buoyant Pakistan on Sunday, but looking slightly ahead, it already appears they might have to beat Australia – and by a good margin – to stand a chance of finishing in the top two of the group. The tournament couldn’t have started on a more deflating note.
Brief scores: New Zealand 160 for 4 in 20 overs (Sophie Devine 57 not out, Renuka Singh 2/27) beat India 102 all out in 19 overs (Harmanpreet Kaur 15; Rosemary Mair 4/19)
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